Retarding device for sprinkler-system alarms



Jan. 21, 1930. w, GRIFFITH 1,744,6 83

RETARDING DEVICE FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEM ALARMS Filed June 8 1927 FIG]. I Ll I- I a a a 5 I E: 4%}! 7 /z /a FIG. 2.

i/s v /6 ,2 l/VVE/VTOR. l V/M/AM 5. G/f/FF/f/f 7 Br I A TTOHIVEYPatented Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT caries WILLIAM B. GRIFFITH,OF AUDUBON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR'TO STAR SPRINKLER CORPORATION, ACORPORATION Q]? NEW JERSEY Application filed June 8,

My invention relates to improvements in a retarding device forcontrolling alarm si nals used in connection with automatic sprinklersystems for fire protection.

The object of my invention is to provide an efiicient retarding devicewhich is dependable and will operate under all conditions; a furtherobject of my invention is to simplify the construction of the retardingdevice by eliminating all springs and diaphragms which have a tendencyto corrode and fail in operation; and a still further object of myinvention is to provide a device which will permit the discharge ofexcess water which passes through the main'valve of the system due tovariations in the water pressure and particularly to what is known aswater-hammer. These together with various novel features of constructionand arrangement of the parts, which will be more fully hereinafterdescribed and claimed, constitute my invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a central verticalsectional view of my improvedretardingdeviceshown connected with a checkvalve and alarm devices; Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view ofthe retarding device drawn on a larger scale and showing the valvemember in a different position; and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section online 3-3, Fig. 2.

In the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters refer tolike parts, 1 represents the retarding device, comprisin the casing 2and a base 3, detachably secure to the lower part of the casing. Thebase 3 is provided with an inlet connection 4 and a removable valve seat5 associated with said inlet connection, through which latter water isadmitted to the casing 2 from the main valve 6 of the sprinkler systemthrough a suitable connecting fpipe 7. When the main valve clapper 8 isli ted off its seat 9, the annular recess 10, formed in the valve seat9,

will be exposed, thus opening communication 1927. Serial No. 197,294.

seat 5. The valve member 15 is provided with a weight 25 adapted tonormally hold the, valve 20 upon its seat 5 and hold the letter closeddue to the overbalanced portion of the valve member carrying the valve20. The valve member 15 is also provided with a depending collar 27which fits loosel over the sleeve forming the valve seat 5. aid collarforms a resistance to the water when flowing through the inletconnection 4, thus insuring the lifting of valve 20 a sufficientdistance ofi the valve seat 5 and imparting sufficient movement to thevalve member 15 to insure the valve 21closing upon its seat 13, thusclosing the outlet port 12, causing the casing 2 to be filled with waterwhen a full flow is passing through the inlet connection 4. The valve 21is provided with a small aperture 29 for the slow passage of water whenthe supply has been cut off by the closing of the main valve 8, thusrelieving the valve 21 of any pressure which would tend to hold itclosed upon its seat and prevent the weight 25 from moving the valvemember 15 into its normal position shown in Fig. 1.

The casing 2 is provided with an overflow connection 30 through whichthe water passes, when the casing 2 is full, to the circuit closingalarm device 31 and the Water motor alarm device 32, which devices arewell known in the art and may be of any type.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The valve member 15 isnormallyheld in the position shown in Fig. 1 by the overbalanced end ofsaid member 15, so that water will drain through the outlet port 12.When the main valve 8 is forced off its seat the water water will flowinto the casing 2, lifting the valve 20 off its seat 5 and moving thevalve member 15 into a position for closing the valve 21 u on its seat13, thus causing the casing 2 to be filled and operate the alarm devices31 and 32. Should the valve 8 immediately close upon its seat, due tothe sprinkler system not being open, the weighted end of the member 15will open the valve 21 and allow the casing 2 to empty rapidly, so thatthe casing 2 will not be filled up entirely with water due to thesuccessive opening of the valve 8, due to water hammering, thus insuringthe alarm devices 31 and 32 remaining out of action unless the mainvalve is fully opened.

I claim 1. A retarding device for a sprinkler system alarm, comprising,a casing having an inlet connection communicating with the sprinklersystem, a connection at the lower portion of the casing forming anoutlet port, an overflow connection upon the casing for actuating analarm device, a bearing upon said casing located between said inletconnection and said outlet port, a lever pivotally mounted upon saidbearing, said lever having a portion normally positioned adjacent tosaid inlet connection, a cup shaped part upon said lever positionedconcentrically with said inlet connection formin a resistance to waterflowing through said inlet connection when said lever is partiallylifted from said inlet connection, and said lever having a portionnormally located in spaced relation to the outlet port adapted to closesaid outlet port when the lever is moved by a flow of.

water through said inlet connection.

2. A retarding device for a sprinkler sys tem alarm, comprising, acasing having an inlet connection and an outlet port, an overflowconnection upon the casing for actuating an alarm device when the casingoverflows, a valve member operatively mounted within the casing adaptedto normally obstruct said inlet connection, a depending collar upon saidmember loosely. surrounding the inlet connection, and a part upon saidmember normally positioned in spaced relation with said outlet portadapted to close the latter when said member is moved away from saidinlet connection by a flow of water through the latter.

3. A retarding device for a sprinkler system alarm, comprising, a casinghaving an inlet connection communicating with the sprinkler system, aconnection at the lower portion of the casing forming an outlet port, anoverflow connection upon the casing for actuating an alarm device whenthe casing overflows, a base forming part of said casing, a leverpivotally mounted upon said base, a depending collar upon one arm ofsaid In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM B. GRIFFITH.

